Larry’s On Board
This morning, as I was pulling off the lot with my school bus, one of the dispatchers waved me down. “Are you still going to be having surgery?” she asked. “Yes,” I replied.
“So, you’re gonna be out after the first of the year?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect!” she exclaimed. “I want Larry to ride with you this morning, because he needs to learn your route…he’ll probably drive it while you’re gone.”
So, no big deal, Larry stepped on to my bus and took a seat. But it’s Larry…not Larry the Cable Guy…but Larry the Santa Claus.
Santa’s On Board
Larry not only looks like Santa, but he is a professional Santa for hire. Larry dresses up and poses for photos with children – like as a mall Santa, etc.
So, when it came time to pick up my elementary students, I told Larry it might get amusing – and I was right 🙂
Earlier on my route I told Larry (a.k.a Santa) that my young kids are not bad, just a little unruly. However, once the little loudmouths saw this older man with a familiar appearance sitting in a seat on their bus, taking notes, attitudes were strangely calmer.
Not one child asked the obvious question, but it was obvious in their glances and demeanor. It was clear what the sneaky little cookie snatchers were thinking: “He looks like Santa Claus…but he’s riding a bus…but he could be Santa…he’s probably not…but what if he is?”
As we approached the school, I began softly singing – just loud enough to be heard – an altered version of a classic Christmas tune.
“You better watch out / You better not cry / You better not pout / I’m telling you why / Santa Claus is riding your bus.”
I looked in the student (rear view) mirror and saw the emotionless, yet slightly-anxious faces of quiet children, all looking forward, except with their eyes darting back and forth in the direction of Larry…
…or was it Santa?
Jesus On Board
It shouldn’t be difficult to guess the spiritual application of this story. What would you change about how you act in life if Jesus were to ride along on your bus?
Oh, but that’s silly, isn’t it? Jesus wouldn’t just show up one day and ride with me to school, would He?
I don’t know. Could He? Does He? Actually, yeah! All the time. Consider these two verses alone:
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. – (Jesus) Matthew 25:40
[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. – Hebrews 13:5
I guess you could say He’s one of those children I transport…or not…or maybe… And beside that, as a believer, He’s always with me. Hmmm, maybe I should quit laughing at the kids and start treating them more like I would treat Jesus, should He ride my bus.
And He does, you know.
How are you behaving on YOUR school bus?
The Recovering Legalist 
Wonderful analogy, Anthony! And what a fun story!